Acne Care - Face Washes and Cleansers

Face washes are classed as cleansers. They may contain more surfactants (wetting agents which lower the surface tension between two liquids). The surfactants, interact with the proteins and lipids on the outer layer of the skin, thus emulsifying dirt, oil and micro-organisms, on the skin surface.

The first original face wash, has been around, since it was developed in 1914, according to Wikipedia. It was originally intended as a remedy for sunburn, and came as a gelatinous, non greasy cream, in a blue jar, with a screw-on cap. You were instructed to scoop some of the cream into your hand, and then rub it around your face, with your fingers, or a wash cloth. After which, you thoroughly rinsed your face with warm water, and your skin would feel softer and smoother, as it would have got rid of all the dirt, make-up and perspiration.

Nowadays, face washes come in lots of different forms, containing a myriad of ingredients and packaged in many ways. You can now buy face washes not only in a cream form, but as gels, lotions, drops, solutions, emulsions, liquids, foams, exfoliants and there is even a soap form, which you can dissolve in warm water and wash your face with. They arrive in a variety of containers, from plastic screw top tubes, aerosols, glass or plastic screw-on capped jars, plastic tubs, and even impregnated wash cloths in plastic bags.

A large variety of ingredients, are used in face washes. Basically, they are either water based or oil based, to which the ingredients are added. Plants, flowers, essential oils, herbs, charcoal, sulphur, chemicals, trees, silver, vitamins, seaweed, glycerin (a by product of soap), and fruit, are just some of the ingredients which go into the making of a face wash. An acne free product usually means that the whole product is formulated to eliminate acne, or free you of your acne. You can buy formulas specifically designed for the male skin, but most face washes are designed for both male and female skin. You can also make your own face washes, from natural ingredients. One recipe, for this is a combination of milk, lime juice, coriander and mint leaves chopped. After applying to the face, rinse thoroughly.

As a general rule, get to know your skin. if you have an oily skin, then use water based face washes. Using an exfoliant face wash once a week can help. For a dry skin, then a cream or gel based face wash is good. If using a foaming cleanser, make sure it is not too rich or too drying. For a combination skin (one which is dry on the outer aspect of the face and greasy down the middle, or has dry and greasy areas), try using a medicated face wash. However, the skin harbours both good and bad bacteria, and you can stop the good bacteria from multiplying. Superficial skin samples contain 12-16 bacterial species and not just P.acnes. So, it is recommended not to use medicated face washes continually, but to change to another face wash from time to time. Those with sensitive skin, should avoid using face washes containing fragrances, alcohol, exfoliants and chemicals, which may cause further irritation, to the skin. Hot water on it's own may sometimes be as good a face wash as anything else.

Face washing is very important, as dirt can contribute to further infection through interaction, with the skin debris, particles and oil in the skin. Always use a milder face wash for your face and a different wash for your body. Depending on your acne type, if it is persistent, see your GP, he/she can prescribe specially formulated face washes, which can help, such as Cetaphil, Brevoxyl-8 and Triaz-6. These can contain Benzoyl Peroxide and other chemicals, which are antibacterial.

Find a face wash which works for your skin. One that will help to settle face eruptions, prevent future outbreaks, improve skin appearance and help to reduce any scarring.

Information written and supplied by Christine Burden, TalkAcne Web Site Manager